Culture

You are Never too Young to Lead

I’ve often noted that one of the most valuable experiences a young, ambitious person can have is to work for excellent managers. And the reverse can be equally true: one of the most valuable experienc

Mission Statements Reinforce Organizational Values

Here are a few mission statements from prominent nonprofit organizations: The mission of the American Heart Association is “To advance the health of all individuals and communities.” Make a Wish Ameri

Diverse Boards Bring Diverse Perspectives

Successful boards are built on a core of experienced professionals who share your mission and bring unique skills, such as in planning, fundraising, and finance. Beyond that, the idea of having a set

Building Respect and Trust: Insights from our Interviews

I so often talk about respect and trust in my writing and my discussions with the nonprofit community. I’m always interested in how nonprofit leaders think about this core cultural value. In preparing

Focus on Your Local Community

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday I'm reminded that nonprofits don’t serve just their constituents, but that they're also grounded in another commonwealth, their local community. At Applied Mat

My Return to Cayuga, Indiana

In late September my wife Becky and I were able to visit my hometown of Cayuga, Indiana, on our way back from a trip to the East Coast. It was my first time back in many years. Cayuga is just west of